Fox92 Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 7 hours ago, Babylon said: Yeah imagine having midfielders that struggle against Man U. Sack em all. too slow, not good enough against top sides. As long as we beat teams like Brighton that's okay though!! I think James keeps the ball well but he's far too slow to play against fast opposition. Just like at Arsenal other week, they glide past him.
Dickov22 Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 Really like James but he was chasing shadows again yesterday, just like he was at Arsenal. Maybe he wil get better once fitter and more used to the tempo again? Ndidi was even worse- seriously lacks confidence when up against the top teams.
Babylon Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 Just now, Fox92 said: too slow, not good enough against top sides. As long as we beat teams like Brighton that's okay though!! As long as he's good enough against the sides outside the top 6 that's all that matters. Our season isn't defined by the results you get away at Arsenal or United. If all our players were top 6 quality we'd be in the top 6, they aren't and we won't be. Unless the owners decide to invest 100's of millions we are never going to be regularly. You need to accept that and accept that some of our players aren't going to match up with the most expensive teams in the world otherwise you are going to be constantly disappointed.
Babylon Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 4 minutes ago, Dickov22 said: Really like James but he was chasing shadows again yesterday, just like he was at Arsenal. Maybe he wil get better once fitter and more used to the tempo again? Ndidi was even worse- seriously lacks confidence when up against the top teams. If we constantly set up outnumbered in the middle to superior teams, the two in the middle are going to be overrun. It'll happen with James or without him. The only time it hasn't happened was when we had one of the best players in the world in there... and they don't come along very often.
Fox92 Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 6 minutes ago, Babylon said: As long as he's good enough against the sides outside the top 6 that's all that matters. Our season isn't defined by the results you get away at Arsenal or United. If all our players were top 6 quality we'd be in the top 6, they aren't and we won't be. Unless the owners decide to invest 100's of millions we are never going to be regularly. You need to accept that and accept that some of our players aren't going to match up with the most expensive teams in the world otherwise you are going to be constantly disappointed. Oh I know that, don't get me wrong. Like I said in my original post on here we need something else against the top sides then. On the four year contract thing, I don't get it. Should have been two years max. The lad is injury prone and I'm still unsure as to whether he's good enough to play every week.
Babylon Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 4 minutes ago, Fox92 said: Oh I know that, don't get me wrong. Like I said in my original post on here we need something else against the top sides then. On the four year contract thing, I don't get it. Should have been two years max. The lad is injury prone and I'm still unsure as to whether he's good enough to play every week. He's an asset, if it doesn't work out here you would still get £5m+ from another team.
Viva Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 8 minutes ago, Babylon said: As long as he's good enough against the sides outside the top 6 that's all that matters. Our season isn't defined by the results you get away at Arsenal or United. If all our players were top 6 quality we'd be in the top 6, they aren't and we won't be. Unless the owners decide to invest 100's of millions we are never going to be regularly. You need to accept that and accept that some of our players aren't going to match up with the most expensive teams in the world otherwise you are going to be constantly disappointed. Is he good enough against teams outside the top 6 though? He hasn't shown that yet. He was average at best in the season we survived. Some people like to think he was amazing as he was ahead of Drinkwater. The fact is neither played that well that season which is why we were rooted to the bottom for most of it. Drinkwater showed since what what he can do though. I'm still waiting to be convinced James is a worthy Premier League starter.
The Doctor Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 22 minutes ago, Fox92 said: too slow, not good enough against top sides. As long as we beat teams like Brighton that's okay though!! I think James keeps the ball well but he's far too slow to play against fast opposition. Just like at Arsenal other week, they glide past him. You say not good enough against top sides, but we were one defensive lapse and a bit of luck with a decision away from doing a job on them yesterday, with him in the middle. Far from Motm yesterday, yes, getting outmanoeuvred by pogba a lot, yes, but I wouldn't say he was that bad, played his part in the two banks of four that frustrated man Utd for 70 minutes and I think would have continued to do so if we (particularly ndidi) hadn't gone to sleep from a corner. Granted, we're not going to go to places like old Trafford with him in the team and win (well, by any other measure than a proper smash and grab), but that's not really what we should be expecting anyway - the wonderful aberration of 15/16 aside, we've been promoted and finished 14th, then 12th. We're building to be a Southampton or Everton, top half fixtures who with a bit of luck get European football - and those sides usually get bossed away to the top sides just like the rest.
Babylon Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 12 minutes ago, Viva said: Is he good enough against teams outside the top 6 though? He hasn't shown that yet. He was average at best in the season we survived. Some people like to think he was amazing as he was ahead of Drinkwater. The fact is neither played that well that season which is why we were rooted to the bottom for most of it. Drinkwater showed since what what he can do though. I'm still waiting to be convinced James is a worthy Premier League starter. He's not had the chance to prove it yet surrounded by better players. As I've said constantly, he will be judged when he's played a selection of teams up and down the league, not two of the most difficult away games you'll have all season. Only then will we know what level he's at.
Fox92 Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 4 minutes ago, The Doctor said: You say not good enough against top sides, but we were one defensive lapse and a bit of luck with a decision away from doing a job on them yesterday, with him in the middle. Far from Motm yesterday, yes, getting outmanoeuvred by pogba a lot, yes, but I wouldn't say he was that bad, played his part in the two banks of four that frustrated man Utd for 70 minutes and I think would have continued to do so if we (particularly ndidi) hadn't gone to sleep from a corner. Granted, we're not going to go to places like old Trafford with him in the team and win (well, by any other measure than a proper smash and grab), but that's not really what we should be expecting anyway - the wonderful aberration of 15/16 aside, we've been promoted and finished 14th, then 12th. We're building to be a Southampton or Everton, top half fixtures who with a bit of luck get European football - and those sides usually get bossed away to the top sides just like the rest. They glided through midfield. Pogba must have had about 7 or 8 shots, no pressure at all, their midfield looked comfortable. The second goal, as I recall, comes from James losing the ball anyway - although I did think it was offside (I was in line with the ball it even looked offside in real time). I'm not expecting to go and get a result at Old Trafford - I thought we contained well and had the odd chance but overall they dominated us as expected - but we need another option/someone to play next to James as he can't cover enough ground in enough time. That was my point. I'm not talking about the club, the team or what we're building - although I wouldn't compare us to a side like Everton, more Southampton now they've lost their best players. They did a job on us. Vardy didn't have a sniff. Our only threat was Mahrez, it's just a shame he's a second in front of the rest in terms of what he's going to do.
Dames Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 9 hours ago, Babylon said: Yeah imagine having midfielders that struggle against Man U. Sack em all. Even Kante and Chelsea are going to struggle against them lot at Old Trafford this season. Utd again look like the team they were for the majority of the Premier League Era - pretty much Unstoppable.
Babylon Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 41 minutes ago, Dames said: Even Kante and Chelsea are going to struggle against them lot at Old Trafford this season. Utd again look like the team they were for the majority of the Premier League Era - pretty much Unstoppable. And it's only taken then 3 managers and buying loads of great players with half a billion to get there! People have been spoilt with the title win, expecting us to actually compete with these teams constantly. Anything from these games used to be seen as a bonus.
Koke Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 Rank our midfielders from best to worst. Ndidi Drinkwater Iborra James Mendy Amartey King James would probably be somewhere in the middle, which makes him a decent enough squad player. He's only starting because Drinkwater is out. Can't get my head around people criticising his contract extension.
seenitall Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 Backwards step for me - a good championship player and no more than that sadly
Guest Col city fan Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 2 hours ago, Fox92 said: They glided through midfield. Pogba must have had about 7 or 8 shots, no pressure at all, their midfield looked comfortable. The second goal, as I recall, comes from James losing the ball anyway - although I did think it was offside (I was in line with the ball it even looked offside in real time). I'm not expecting to go and get a result at Old Trafford - I thought we contained well and had the odd chance but overall they dominated us as expected - but we need another option/someone to play next to James as he can't cover enough ground in enough time. That was my point. I'm not talking about the club, the team or what we're building - although I wouldn't compare us to a side like Everton, more Southampton now they've lost their best players. They did a job on us. Vardy didn't have a sniff. Our only threat was Mahrez, it's just a shame he's a second in front of the rest in terms of what he's going to do. You are spot on matey. Ignore all the guff you read on here. Pogba and Mata probably won't have a much easier game all season. They didn't really have to get out of second gear. James was solid but blowing and Ndidi, if we aren't careful, is going to start going backwards in his development.
foxinsocks Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 28 minutes ago, Col city fan said: You are spot on matey. Ignore all the guff you read on here. Pogba and Mata probably won't have a much easier game all season. They didn't really have to get out of second gear. James was solid but blowing and Ndidi, if we aren't careful, is going to start going backwards in his development. my worries too. OK, so they are top class midfielders and the results wasn't unexpected - the issue for me is where we are going. Ndidi is tall and athletic and could gain strength to be more pogba-esque - this need specialist work to develop him. James is OK - but can we rely on him injury wise?... and although I respect King's service to the club, let's face it, he is not a pl player and yet we are still reduced to calling on him... (though I wonder if this might be because CS feels he can reply on him to carry our instructions rather any great present or ability). WE need to give Mendy and chance so we can see if he can measure un or not.. similarly we don't know how iborra will do in the fast PL games - if neither iborra or n make the grade we are deep int he brown stuff. I wonder if we are any better now now than back in march?
Viva Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 1 hour ago, Koke said: Rank our midfielders from best to worst. Ndidi Drinkwater Iborra James Mendy Amartey King James would probably be somewhere in the middle, which makes him a decent enough squad player. He's only starting because Drinkwater is out. Can't get my head around people criticising his contract extension. It's not too hard to see why some people might critiscise it. Currently what we know about Matty James is that he is a decent Championship player that has had injury problems. Four years on no doubt decent money, might seem a lot to some people. Also others say it guarantees the club a good fee if he moves on. Not necesarily so, because not many Championship clubs would probably give him a higher salary than what we are paying him. We can wait and see how James does this season, but potentially we have two centre mids on long term contracts that might not be of the quality to make a difference when needed. We shall see in the coming months if he can step up a level.
chris_lcfc_85 Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 Still to find his best form but there was nothing wrong with his performances when we had the great escape and played a huge part before injury. Needs more time
DatfoxesKid23 Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 23 hours ago, chicagofox said: This is a joke. A very unfunny one. But a joke. Shakespeare talks about qualifying for Europe and then signs up Championship players. Your job is to manage the team. Not to be the players friend and show loyalty to players based on length of service even though they clearly have nothing to offer at this level. Christ, we were linked with the likes of Sigurdsson and Silva and we end up with Matty f'n James. And don't even start with how great he was 3 SEASONS AGO because he wasn't great. And we've won a Premier League since then and supposedly have European ambitions. He is not good enough. Seriously regretting hiring Shakespeare now. No wonder Mahrez wants to leave. And Drinkwater should do absolutely everything he can now to push through that move to Chelsea. give him a chance he came back from a two year injury
chicagofox Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 He isn't coming back from a two year injury. He played 18 games last season.
Guest Col city fan Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 18 minutes ago, chicagofox said: He isn't coming back from a two year injury. He played 18 games last season. The two year injury argument is feeble. You can't have your cake and eat it. Either he was very influential for Barnsley, and they loved him, or he wasn't because he was too unfit to play much. The 'coming back from injury' routine is trotted out usually when a player is simply well off the pace. I say again...I have nothing against Matt James. But he's nothing more than just a very average midfielder at this level. He's ok at intercepting...but what about creating, assisting, shooting, scoring. Where are his 'offensive' credentials in a 4-4-2?
fuchsntf Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 17 hours ago, chicagofox said: Thanks for the advice mate. But I've been a fan of Leicester City for 32 years so I won't stop now. Hows Fados Doing now without my Dollars.... 1999-2001 I was doing a project for the Deutsche Börse, to kick start the network For our Major HQ and Access point in USA. Though I lived in Naperville, I had the pleasure of using Fados for my no1 watering hole and UK sport. Saturdays goodnight out Just for itself or an excellent starting point. Had then a top crew. Though any evening or Lunchtime was a good session, also for a good tasty breakfast, or good irish pub food.Made a few good friends lads n lasses there. A short walk away from the small Chicago Blue bar, gangster Restaurants, in fact any downtown joint. I wonder if that crazy gorilla is still pounding its chest in the Rain Forest restaurant.
chicagofox Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 20 minutes ago, fuchsntf said: Hows Fados Doing now without my Dollars.... 1999-2001 I was doing a project for the Deutsche Börse, to kick start the network For our Major HQ and Access point in USA. Though I lived in Naperville, I had the pleasure of using Fados for my no1 watering hole and UK sport. Saturdays goodnight out Just for itself or an excellent starting point. Had then a top crew. Though any evening or Lunchtime was a good session, also for a good tasty breakfast, or good irish pub food.Made a few good friends lads n lasses there. A short walk away from the small Chicago Blue bar, gangster Restaurants, in fact any downtown joint. I wonder if that crazy gorilla is still pounding its chest in the Rain Forest restaurant. Yep sadly the gorilla is still there. I guess people like eating bland food in a damp and humid environment lol. Fado is still going strong. It's not one of my regular spots but you're right, if you need a good pint and a full Irish it's the place to go.
foxinsocks Posted 27 August 2017 Posted 27 August 2017 I like james - but tbh he is mediochre prem midfielder... better thn king to make up the numbers but we need better first choice
Viva Posted 28 August 2017 Posted 28 August 2017 On 8/27/2017 at 13:20, chris_lcfc_85 said: Still to find his best form but there was nothing wrong with his performances when we had the great escape and played a huge part before injury. Needs more time Can I just end the myth that he played a massive part in the great escape. Most players including James were average at best before the start of the run against West Ham, which is why we were tailed off at the bottom of the table. In the following 6 matches including West Ham, he was an unused sub 3 times. In the 7th match he came off after 13 minutes injured. If you take any notice of the match ratings on here, he was below average in those 3 matches he played.
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